Modules
The MSc Biotech and Pharmaceutical programme offers you an opportunity to develop a breadth of understanding of what the Biotech and Pharma business landscape involves particularly in regards to various health systems and approaches to therapeutics.
The programme is designed to give you an appreciation of these complex and fast-changing sectors and is delivered during terms one and two in seven modules. You will receive in the first term a grounding in clinical trials and statistics coupled with the extensive regulatory frameworks that the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors operate within.
In term two, you will focus on grasping and synthesising the key business issues and opportunities such as commercialisation, supply chain and drug management. All students on this programme will be engaged in a group business project that involves analysing and stakeholder mapping a drug or biotech product from trials to the business case and pitch.
Throughout the 12-months, students will also work on two projects, and term three is dedicated to completing this project work and consolidating learning from terms one and two
There will be several milestones that will form part of the formative assessments to help students develop their projects along with workshops in term 1 and 2. You will also have industry mentors for your projects. The final output will be a business plan/report with presentation.
Assessment of the Biotech and Pharmaceutical Management MSc is through written examinations, coursework essays, presentations, assignments and two projects.
Core modules
Pharmaceutical and Biotech Policies and Practices - 15 credits
Focusing on biotechnology and pharmacology practices and strategies, this module looks in more depth at research and development, business maintenance and expansion and licensing. You will also learn about pharmaceutical expenditures and the pricing of drugs, as well as patents, intellectual property and patents.
Assessed through a 2,000 word policy brief (80%) and a group presentation of a case study (20%).
Pharmacoeconomics - 15 credits
This module hones in on this branch of health economics which deals with identifying, measuring and comparing the costs and consequences of pharmaceutical products and medical technologies. As well as learning about the role pharmacoeconomics can play in decision making, you will also understand concepts involved in pharmacoeconomic analysis.
Assessed through a two-hour open book examination.
Introduction to Clinical Trials Design and Statistical Analysis - 30 credits
Introducing students to the principles of clinical trials, this module looks in depth at designs, statistical principles and critical appraisal in the clinical trial field. Module content also includes treatment allocation methods, sample size calculations, statistical analysis plans, reporting clinical trials and understanding systematic reviews.
Assessed through a 2,000 word assignment (50%) and a two-hour exam (50%).
Commercialisation of Research Ideas - 15 credits
This module provides a structured approach to understanding how discoveries in bioprocessing or life sciences can be taken through to a real outcome. You will learn about evaluating potential commercial opportunities, selecting optimal routes for commercial exploitation, and constructing business plans to raise funding.
Assessed through coursework (70%) and an essay (30%).
Supply Chain Management - 15 credits
Looking at the various aspects of healthcare supply chain management, this module explores topics including obtaining resources, managing supplies and the delivery of goods and services to providers and patients. You will also gain insights into the stakeholders involved, upstream and downstream relationships with suppliers and customers and the role of regulatory agencies.
Assessed through a two-hour open book exam.
Pharma Commercialisation and Marketing - 15 credits
Designed to provide a foundation in marketing concepts and principles specifically for the pharmaceutical industry, this module highlights the opportunities and challenges in the commercialisation of pharmaceutical products. Module content includes stakeholder engagement, how pricing and payment arrangements differ between health systems and business development approaches.
Assessed through a 2,500 word case study analysis.
Capital and Equity Markets for Healthcare - 15 credits
This module looks at how capital and equity markets work, as well as how they can be used to advance the research and development of healthcare products. With a focus on early stage biotechnology firms who are driving innovation in the healthcare sector, you will learn about the features and challenges of investing in healthcare innovations and how investors assess companies in this field.
Assessed through a 2,000 word business case analysis (80%) and a 10-minute group presentation (20%).
